Ishikawa's Soul Food 'Champion Curry' Transitions to New Management: Keita Minami Steps Down as Chairman

Champion Curry Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nonoichi City, Ishikawa Prefecture; President: Yosuke Nakamura) announces that Chairman Keita Minami will retire from his position on September 30, 2026, and assume the role of Senior Advisor from October 1.

In April of this year, Yosuke Nakamura became President, launching a new management structure. Minami had long held the belief of "ending family management in his generation," aiming for a management system that allows sustainable growth without being bound by the founding family. Since Minami became the third-generation president in 2016, the company has been advancing organizational and management reforms.

In April 2026, Nakamura became President, with Minami supporting the new structure as Chairman. Under the new system, the company is reviewing cost structures and operations while promoting new initiatives for growth, including the launch of "Nama Curry" (fresh curry).

After three consecutive years of losses, the company achieved a monthly profit in August. Although it is still early in the fiscal year, there are signs of progress toward profitability. Seeing the new management structure gaining traction, Minami decided that "now is the optimal turning point" and chose to hand over the management baton to the next generation.

He will continue to watch over Champion Curry's growth as a Senior Advisor.

Aiming for "Management Not Bound by the Founding Family"

Minami had long held the belief of "ending family management in his generation," aiming for a management system that allows sustainable growth without being bound by the founding family.

Under this philosophy, since Minami became the third-generation president in 2016, the company has been advancing organizational and management reforms.

In 2021, the company also publicly stated its aim to "gradually move away from family management," clarifying its commitment to management free from the founding family.

In April 2026, Nakamura became President, with Minami supporting the new structure as Chairman.

Rather than "who will succeed the company," the question was "what management structure is needed for Champion Curry to continue growing and thriving."

The decision to step down as Chairman and become a Senior Advisor is an extension of Minami's management philosophy.

After Three Difficult Years: Returning to Growth with "Defense" and "Offense"

In recent years, the business environment for the restaurant industry has changed significantly due to rising prices and increased costs for raw materials. The company also faced three consecutive years of losses.

To overcome this situation, the new management structure is pursuing reforms on both "defense" and "offense."

While reviewing cost structures and operations, the company is also focusing on creating new markets and customer touchpoints, rather than just shrinking.

A symbol of this is the refrigerated product "Nama Curry," launched in April 2026.

As a product that allows customers to easily enjoy Champion Curry's taste at home, sales channels have expanded, and by July, about three months after launch, cumulative sales exceeded 66,666 units.

In the new fiscal year starting July 2026, the company achieved a monthly profit in August.

Although it is still early in the fiscal year, the reforms pursued on both fronts—cost structure and operations review, and new initiatives like "Nama Curry"—are showing signs of progress toward profitability.

Protecting what needs to be protected while challenging new things.

Under the new management structure, Champion Curry is beginning its journey toward the next stage of growth.

"This Is Someone I Can Trust": The Next Leader Minami Chose

The person Minami chose to entrust the next phase of management is current President Yosuke Nakamura.

Nakamura joined Champion Curry in September 2025. At the time, the company was not hiring, but Nakamura contacted them himself, saying "I want you to make use of me," which became the starting point of their relationship.

Through working together, Minami came to appreciate Nakamura's sincerity, drive, and passion for curry, thinking, "This is someone worthy of trust. I want to entrust the future management to him."

In April 2026, Nakamura became President.

With the new management structure driving operational improvements and new challenges, and signs of recovery emerging, Minami is stepping down from his position as Chairman, entrusting management to the new structure centered on Nakamura.

Chairman Keita Minami's Farewell Address

I have long had a strong determination to "end family management in my generation."

While we have a long history and successful experiences, I feared that remaining bound by family management would narrow our perspective and hinder flexible growth in response to changing times. I believed that Champion Curry needed a leader with broader knowledge who could powerfully drive the company's evolution.

It was then that Nakamura joined us in September last year. Despite the company not hiring at the time, he gave up his stable position and suddenly sent us a passionate email saying "I want you to make use of me," which greatly surprised me.

Through working side by side, I witnessed his sincerity, drive, and passion for curry, and became convinced that "this is someone worthy of trust. I want to entrust the future management to him."

When Nakamura became President in April this year and I felt the new management structure was firmly on track, I decided that "now is the optimal turning point" and chose to step down as Chairman at the end of September.

Under the new structure, operational improvements and challenges are progressing one after another with new perspectives and methods that I didn't have, and I am truly delighted to witness this reliable growth up close.

To our customers, business partners, and employees who have supported us from my grandfather's generation to today, I have nothing but gratitude.

From October, as a Senior Advisor, I will do my utmost to support "delivering the same delicious taste" and "the development of all involved" from the perspective of the founding family.

I sincerely hope that Champion Curry will continue to be the same beloved brand while evolving further and remaining a company that brings happiness to all involved.

We ask for your continued patronage.

Message from President Yosuke Nakamura

Entrusted with the helm of "Champion Curry," beloved by fans in the local Hokuriku region and nationwide, I have been running with a sense of urgency since becoming President in April this year.

Along with the great expectation of "delivering this deliciousness to many people who have not yet tasted our curry," I always carry the tension of bearing a historic brand.

Since taking office, we have been driving various changes and reforms. I am deeply aware that we have placed a considerable burden on our staff and stakeholders, but thanks to the employees who have faced challenges without fearing change and everyone who supports us, we achieved a monthly profit in August in the new fiscal year, showing progress in performance.